Philmont Scout Ranch

Program Counselor

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

What an incredible job! Being out in the mountains of northern New Mexico was an incredible experience, and working with kids and running program with them all day!

What I wish was different

I wish it was full time, rather than just a summer job.

Advice

Apply, apply, apply! One of the best jobs to have, guaranteed. Be prepared to work really long days sometimes into the night, but have the most fun of your life doing it.

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Program Couselor/Conservation Worker

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Everything

What I wish was different

I wish fires did not cancel the planned summer, which required an adjustment to the job description and renewal of contract.

Advice

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Program Councilor at Zastrow, TSI crew member

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

the place and the people

What I wish was different

N\A

Advice

be ready for anything

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Conservationist

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

It is in the middle of nowhere with some great people.

What I wish was different

I was respected as a worker and had ideal meals and social balance.

Advice

You have to be a bit insane.

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Housekeeping

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Beautiful Landscape in the land of enchantment! The small town feel was very nice.

What I wish was different

People weren't so nosey

Advice

It felt like I was at a summer camp having fun, not working.

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Forestry Crew Member

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

This summer was the year of the fire, so I wan't planning to work on a forestry crew. Philmont's likely to increase the number of staff doing forestry work into the future. This job would best fit someone who enjoys manual labor, being part of a team, and doesn't mind killing a little to save a lot.

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Ranger Trainer

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Get to spend the summer teaching backpacking skills to youth. Awesome environment of like minded and aged people.

What I wish was different

We had forest fires this year

Advice

Find a job you love doing while you are still young and have the chance

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Conservationist- Timber Stand Improvement Sawyer

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

This was my third summer working for Philmont, and while originally hired as a Backcountry Program Counselor, due to the forest fires the camp was closed to scouts over the summer and my original position no longer required. The staff were given the offer to leave in good standing, or take up other available positions in the Conservation Department, such as fire restoration, timber stand improvement (TSI), tree selection and marking, invasive species, and chipper crew. I was able to stay on doing TSI and was trained and certified to operate a chainsaw and fell trees up to 12 inches in diameter and buck trees up to 16 inches in diameter. Over the summer, I felled hundreds of trees with the help of my work crew and division. I learned a great deal about forestry and conservation, fire restoration, and all the work that goes in behind the scenes to take care and manage our forests.

What I wish was different

Because the fires weren't a "planned" part of the summer, the changes they demanded really came as a curve ball. Initially, coordinating the work crews and understanding and implementing what we'd be doing over the rest of the summer was a challenge. More organization from the start would have been nice, but despite the rough beginning, the experience brought the ranch together as a team. Every department contributed in problem solving and developing a way to make the best of an unfortunate situation.

Advice

"Scramble, be flexible." It's a saying you get a lot working at Philmont, but it really rings true. In any position there will be a lot asked of you. The effort you put in and the willingness you have to adapt and adjust to unexpected surprises while doing your job will determine the experience you have. Working hard sounds easy enough, and so does, "going with the flow," but it's when you learn to put those two together that you make the most progress in your work and in your personal experiences.

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Dining hall staff

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Everyone working there really loves the outdoors, and it was a great group of people to work with.

What I wish was different

Advice

Take advantage of every day you have off and try to get out of base camp.

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Forestry Work Crew Member

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Living and working in the outdoors, positive work environment.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Trip planner

May - July 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Everything

What I wish was different

I wish I was able to do what I had signed up for but due to unforeseen circumstances the camp had to close

Advice

Be aware of fire danger

1 One person found this helpful

Tooth of TIme Trader Clerk

May - August 2018 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

It was an adventure. They also housed and fed us.

What I wish was different

I wish to do something outside more if I went back.

Advice

Apply early to get the job you want. Do not wait. The store was cool, but try and do some of the more adventures jobs like being a Ranger, Conservation, or Back country worker.

1 One person found this helpful

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